A series of bull shark sightings in Fremantle’s Swan River this week has reignited public concern and dredged up painful memories of past attacks, including the death of 16-year-old Stella Berry in 2023. Authorities have confirmed that at least three separate reports of bull shark groups were lodged between Monday and Tuesday, highlighting the species’ ongoing presence in Perth’s most iconic waterway.
A Concentration of Sightings
On Monday afternoon, multiple bull sharks—each estimated at two metres—were spotted just 10 metres from shore near the Rottnest Express ferry terminal. By Tuesday morning, a group of six sharks was captured on video swimming near the North Fremantle traffic bridge. Later that morning, another report described a school of 1.5-metre sharks moving in the same area.
The Department of Primary Industries and Regional Development (DPIRD) confirmed three public reports in under 24 hours. While shark monitoring receivers are installed in East Fremantle, Blackwall Reach, and Canning Bridge, officials acknowledged that bull sharks are rarely tagged, limiting detection.
Despite the activity, no closures or restrictions have been introduced for swimming or fishing in the Swan River.
Tragic Echoes of Stella Berry’s Death
The sightings have been especially harrowing for locals in North Fremantle, where Stella Berry lost her life in February 2023. The teenager was attacked near the same traffic bridge, marking the first fatal shark attack in the Swan River in a century. The last fatality dated back to 1923, when a 13-year-old boy was killed.
Berry’s death came after decades of relative safety. Before the tragedy, the most recent Swan River attack had occurred in 2021, when father-of-two Cameron Wrathall survived a 30-centimetre bite to his thigh at Blackwall Reach. Subsequent incidents have included a canoe being bitten at South Perth in February 2025 and a close encounter in 2022 when a shark barged into a swimmer at Matilda Bay.
Bull Sharks: A Dangerous Resident of Rivers
Bull sharks are regarded by marine biologists as among the most aggressive shark species. Alongside great white and tiger sharks, they are responsible for the majority of fatal attacks in Australia. What makes them unique is their ability to survive in freshwater systems, including rivers, estuaries, and even lakes.
Research from Griffith University suggests that rainfall plays a major role in drawing bull sharks into rivers. Marine biologist Johan Gustafson explained that heavy rains alter river salinity, prompting sharks to explore further upstream. With Western Australia recording its wettest winter since 1996, scientists believe this seasonal factor may have contributed to the recent Fremantle sightings.
Risk, Perception, and Safety Measures
While shark attacks in the Swan River remain rare, the psychological impact is far greater. Local swimmers, paddlers, and fishers often struggle to reconcile the statistical improbability of an attack with the memory of high-profile incidents.
DPIRD continues to urge vigilance and public cooperation. Anyone spotting a shark is asked to immediately report to Water Police on 9442 8600, ensuring sightings are logged on the SharkSmart database. The real-time platform allows residents to track shark activity and receive alerts, although it depends heavily on community input.
Currently, authorities balance public reassurance with avoiding unnecessary restrictions. Unlike open ocean beaches where drum lines or aerial patrols are deployed, the enclosed and unpredictable nature of the Swan River makes active shark mitigation nearly impossible.
Historical Context of Attacks
Although Stella Berry’s death was the first fatality in 100 years, the Swan River has a recorded history of shark encounters. The 1923 case in which a young boy was killed underlines the long-standing—if rare—presence of sharks in Perth’s inland waters.
Incidents have tended to cluster around known hotspots like Blackwall Reach, Canning Bridge, and the North Fremantle traffic bridge. These areas combine deep channels with high fish activity, making them attractive to bull sharks. Such patterns have been identified in studies of urban shark behaviour in river systems worldwide, from the Brisbane River to Florida’s estuaries.
Community Reactions
Reactions from Fremantle locals have been mixed. Some residents argue that the recent sightings are a reminder to stay cautious, avoid swimming at dawn or dusk, and stick to supervised recreational zones. Others are concerned that the lack of restrictions downplays the risks, particularly for young swimmers.
The memory of Stella Berry has amplified community sensitivity. Flowers, vigils, and public memorials in the weeks after her death reflected a city grappling with grief. For many, the latest video of bull sharks circling beneath the bridge is not just a biological fact but a symbolic reminder of vulnerability.
Lessons from Science and Policy
Marine safety experts stress that shark management in urban rivers differs significantly from beach strategies. Preventive measures like netting are impractical and ecologically damaging in estuaries. Instead, emphasis is placed on public awareness, data collection, and behavioural research.
Globally, river systems that host bull sharks—such as the Zambezi in Africa or the Ganges in India—rely on education and local monitoring rather than eradication. Western Australia’s SharkSmart program mirrors this philosophy, offering real-time reporting tools but requiring consistent citizen participation.
Practical Guidance for Residents
Experts recommend the following precautions for river users in Fremantle and beyond:
- Avoid high-risk times: Dawn and dusk are peak feeding hours for bull sharks.
- Stay clear after rain: Runoff lowers salinity and attracts sharks upstream.
- Use visible gear: Bright clothing and equipment may reduce mistaken identity.
- Avoid swimming alone: Group activity reduces individual risk.
- Report sightings promptly: This strengthens community safety systems.
Looking Forward
As climate patterns bring wetter winters and shifting salinity in WA’s rivers, shark scientists predict increased overlap between human recreation and bull shark movement. Fremantle may therefore face more frequent, though not necessarily more dangerous, sightings in the years ahead.
For now, officials emphasise perspective. The Swan River has been part of Perth’s daily life for centuries, and fatalities remain exceedingly rare compared to other water risks. Yet the tragic case of Stella Berry lingers as a reminder that even rare dangers leave deep marks on collective memory.
Balancing safety, science, and community reassurance will remain at the heart of WA’s approach to shark management. For Fremantle residents, the sight of bull sharks beneath the traffic bridge is both a sobering spectacle and a call to respect the powerful predators that share their waters.
